Author Topic: 1968 L89 Camaro barn find?????????????  (Read 9826 times)

Vectra

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1968 L89 Camaro barn find?????????????
« on: September 30, 2013, 12:17:09 AM »
I am contemplating buying a 1968 Camaro basket case built in Norwood.  The block casting number is 3916321.  As you know, this is a 427.  This block has the VIN on the deck that matches the cowl VIN, along with the MT stamping.  The block casting is dated in October (didn't write exact day down) 1967, the car's trim tag indicates the body build date is the second week of March 1968.  It has GM aluminum heads dated 2 days apart, about the same time as the engine block was cast. 

From the research I have done, it doesn't appear that a 1968 L89 came with a 427, only a 396/375.  Is there a possibility that a 427 could have been an option.  My research shows not, but want you all to weigh in on this.

Also, is there a 1968 L89 OR L78 registry with the VINs anywhere for those cars. 

Thank you all for your thoughts.

cook_dw

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Re: 1968 L89 Camaro barn find?????????????
« Reply #1 on: September 30, 2013, 01:07:22 AM »
First welcome.. ;D


Best thing would be to get paperwork on the car.  Get pics of the block stampings, vin, cowl tag, trans stamping and diff stamping.  Only then can anyone give an evaluation on the car.

69Z28-RS

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Re: 1968 L89 Camaro barn find?????????????
« Reply #2 on: September 30, 2013, 03:22:06 AM »
Although the factory did not install 427 engines in '68 Camaros, unless my memory is failing me, some of the high performance dealerships were installing 'new' 427's (whatever options desired) in '68 Camaros for their customers; dealers like Nickey, Baldwin Motion, etc.   Those dealerships *may* have stamped the VIN's on the blocks since they did provide some type of warranty (although it was shorter than factory I believe)..  :)
« Last Edit: September 30, 2013, 04:24:19 AM by 69Z28-RS »
09C 69Z28-RS, 72 B 720 cowl console rosewood tint
69 Corvette, '60 Corvette, '72 Corvette
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KurtS

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Re: 1968 L89 Camaro barn find?????????????
« Reply #3 on: September 30, 2013, 04:09:41 AM »
427 block with an MT code and a VIN? Sounds homemade....
Kurt S
CRG

69Z28-RS

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Re: 1968 L89 Camaro barn find?????????????
« Reply #4 on: September 30, 2013, 04:28:18 AM »
MT indicates 396/375 in '68 (assuming it's a big block).   I am not familiar with the big block casting numbers, but was the 3916321 casting used for both 396's and 427's?? 
09C 69Z28-RS, 72 B 720 cowl console rosewood tint
69 Corvette, '60 Corvette, '72 Corvette
90 ZR1 red/red #246, 90 ZR1 white/gray #2466
72 El Camino, '55-'56-'57 Nomads, '55-'57 B/A Sedan

MyRed67

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Re: 1968 L89 Camaro barn find?????????????
« Reply #5 on: September 30, 2013, 08:10:35 AM »
  I've checked a couple different sources, both say 3916321 casting was only used for 427's late 67 & 68  Pass. car and Corvettes.
1967 Camaro  LOS  11A
Original Engine   Z - Tribute
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janobyte

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Re: 1968 L89 Camaro barn find?????????????
« Reply #6 on: October 02, 2013, 08:18:30 PM »
Different blocks all together. 427 is a de stroked 454 " the 302's of big blocks"  based on stock crank casting #s.
68 Z/28  born with: 302, drive line, etc..

vtfb68

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Re: 1968 L89 Camaro barn find?????????????
« Reply #7 on: October 02, 2013, 09:35:58 PM »
Hmm! No 454's till 1970, 427's came out in 1966.
     VT
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janobyte

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Re: 1968 L89 Camaro barn find?????????????
« Reply #8 on: October 02, 2013, 10:34:23 PM »
Different stroke (longer stroke) 454's  ,same  bore. Point being different block 396 (402's) vs 427's/454's. Rotating assemblies non-interchangeable between the two.
68 Z/28  born with: 302, drive line, etc..

vtfb68

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Re: 1968 L89 Camaro barn find?????????????
« Reply #9 on: October 02, 2013, 11:11:34 PM »
Point being, the 454 would be a STROKED 427, would it not?
    VT
68 05C LA RS/SS U2 712 L34 M21 BR
68 08E LA RS Y2 749 L30 M35
67 11B LA  RS/SS M-1 797-Z L48 M21  Convertible

MyRed67

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Re: 1968 L89 Camaro barn find?????????????
« Reply #10 on: October 02, 2013, 11:37:23 PM »
Point being, the 454 would be a STROKED 427, would it not?
    VT
Exactly, being that the 427 came first.
1967 Camaro  LOS  11A
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janobyte

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Re: 1968 L89 Camaro barn find?????????????
« Reply #11 on: October 03, 2013, 01:35:35 AM »
Agreed  ;D      here is a link to chevy casting numbers/years.




                                                        http://outintheshop.com/faq/casting/castings2.html


68 Z/28  born with: 302, drive line, etc..

 

anything